Specialists from the Krasnoyarsk State Agrarian University (KrasGAU) have developed new varieties of potatoes and soybeans that are adapted to the climate in Siberia. The introduction of these varieties into agriculture will avoid losing part of the crop due to frost.
Frosts are a key problem for the agricultural business of Siberia, but Krasnoyarsk scientists managed to solve it. Two varieties of potatoes and two varieties of soybeans, bred by breeders, have a low germination rate. The tops appear only when warm weather sets in, the university explained.
As the Vice-Rector for Science of KrasGAU Alexander Kolomeitsev emphasized, potatoes form tubers even before the onset of summer heat, and nutrients accumulate in them by the end of August. According to him, the soybean obtained by specialists is the most «northern» in the world.
It is noted that the new varieties were obtained by breeding methods: about 200 varieties of potatoes were crossed in nurseries, as well as over 180 varieties of soybeans. The novelties have already passed state tests to determine the varietal qualities of plants.